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Maintaining independence after a fall

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2009

AB Spinks*
Affiliation:
Griffith University, School of Medicine
J Wasiak
Affiliation:
Monash University, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
*
Address for correspondence: Anneliese Spinks, Griffith University, School of Medicine, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland, 4131, Australia. Email: [email protected]

Summary

Falls have a significant impact upon independent living ability in older people, with fall-related fractures one of the leading predictors of having to move into assisted living facilities. The loss of independence associated with a severe fall is often accompanied by a decline in physical, social, emotional and economic well-being. Rehabilitation programmes to restore functional ability following a fall have a greater chance of success if they adopt a multi-disciplinary approach and, if appropriate, are conducted in the patient's own home. Additional multi-component interventions that improve confidence and reduce the risk of subsequent falls may confer benefits by assisting individuals independently to perform activities of daily living.

Type
Psychological and social gerontology
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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